Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui, has announced plans to integrate the Amazigh language into the country’s university system. This initiative seeks to further honor the constitutional recognition of Tamazight as an official language and a shared cultural heritage of all Moroccans, Morocco state media reported.
Minister Miraoui revealed the comprehensive plan during a session in the House of Representatives. He outlined a set of measures designed to facilitate the seamless incorporation of Tamazight into the Moroccan university curriculum.
The primary focus of the plan is the introduction of Tamazight courses at various academic levels. Under this initiative, five courses in the Amazigh language and culture will be incorporated into the bachelor’s degree in basic studies.
Three courses will be added at the master’s degree level. Moreover, while students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in education will have access to 14 courses dedicated to the Amazigh language and culture.
One significant development is the establishment of a national model course in the bachelor’s degree in education, specialized in primary education with a focus on the Amazigh language. This course has already been adopted at the Higher School of Education and Training in Oujda and the Higher School of Teachers in Rabat. Plans are underway to introduce this course in Berrechid and Agadir universities starting by the start of next year’s academic season.
Read also: Moroccan Government to ‘Integrate’ Tamazight as Official Language
Minister Miraoui emphasized that Tamazight’s inclusion will not be limited to dedicated language courses. The Amazigh component will be integrated into transversal units related to national identity.
This integration will encompass training units on Amazigh history, language, and culture. Furthermore, the ministry is committed to promoting scientific research in fields related to Amazigh culture by establishing research structures in this domain.
Miraoui underlined the government’s dedication to expeditiously integrating Tamazight into the higher education system, aligning with Morocco’s constitution, which recognizes Tamazight as an official language and a shared cultural heritage for all Moroccans without exception.
This initiative is poised to celebrate Morocco’s cultural diversity and ensure the preservation and promotion of Tamazight, enriching the educational landscape and fostering a deeper sense of unity among the Moroccan population.
